APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2013
< www.royalenfield.com >
Royal Enfield HIMALAYAN ODYSSEY 2013
TOUR OF BHUTANUPCOMING RIDES : TOUR OF TIBET
NEWS : ORAGADAM FACTORY
G U E S T E D I T O R
Global Motorcycle Brand
hen I took over
as the Chief
Operating
Officer at Royal
Enfield this
January, it gave
me a sense of pride at leading the
team behind this legendary brand.
My immediate focus is towards
aligning all functions seamlessly
and bringing in a customer-
centric approach. To this effect, I
would also be meeting customers
to understand more on their
expectations from us and will be
more than happy to listen to any of
their constructive views in taking
this organisation to its next growth
trajectory.
The year 2012 had been a
landmark year for us as it brought
with it tremendous operational
efficiencies that led to record
growth. In the last two years, Royal
Enfield has grown by over 50% in
terms of sales and even higher in
terms of profits. These efforts and
results have also been recognised
in the industry as we bagged
several awards last year. Both
NDTV and ET Zigwheels awarded
us as the motorcycle manufacturer
of the year. The new Thunderbird
has also won ‘Bike of the Year’
award in a few categories.
Our production grew as we
geared up to meet the ever increasing
demand for our motorcycles and
for the first time we achieved
a production run of 1,00,000
motorcycles in a year with a month
to spare. We also inaugurated the
state-of-the-art Vehicle Assembly
and Paint Shop in the new plant at
Oragadam and the first motorcycle
from the new plant rolled out
earlier this year.
With a great performance in
2012, the year 2013 begins with
a lot of new opportunities as well
as challenges. Our rapid growth
bears testimony to the kind of
expectations that our customers
and enthusiasts have from us.
This has boosted our confidence
and we are ready to approach
newer shores with a more focused
strateg y and constructive changes
in the way we manage that will
take Royal Enfield to its desired
position.
I am confident that each
member of my team shall
participate and work towards a
stimulating and enriching 2013
that will script the next chapter of
Royal Enfield’s success story.
Wishing you all the best and
safe riding.
W
B. Govindrajan Chief Operating Officer Royal Enfield
inside02 Upcoming Rides
• REunion South • Tour of Tibet • Rider Mania
04 Keep Riding 9 Getaways
08 Marquee Ride
• One Ride 2013 • Royal Enfield Himalayan Odyssey 2013 • Royal Enfield REunion North 2013 • Royal Enfield Tour of Bhutan 2013
22 News • Oragadam Factory • New Dealerhips
25 International • New Distributor in the UK • Flashback : 1936 JF 500 cc Bullet Racer
K I C K S T A R T
This year saw the 10th edition of
the ‘Himalayan Odyssey’- the
mother of all rides - which was
flagged-off from New Delhi in
June. It coincided with the first edition of
REunion North which took place in Leh,
commemorating decades of the presence
of Royal Enfield motorcycles in Ladakh
region as well as the spirit of adventure
that Royal Enfield riders exhibit as they
venture into the Himalayas year after
year.
The month of April saw the ‘One
Ride’ being celebrated all over the
world with much fanfare as riders came
together to ride out on their Royal Enfield
motorcycles and celebrate the solidarity.
The other noteworthy ride this quarter
was the Royal Enfield Tour of Bhutan
which is in its 2nd year.
Details of some of the other rides
happening in the coming months can be
found in this issue, as well as in the Royal
Enfield 2013 Rides Journal, a copy of
which can be picked up from your nearest
Royal Enfield dealer or downloaded from
the website.
The new manufacturing plant of Royal
Enfield was inaugurated at Oragadam,
Tamil Nadu, on 30th April. It is equipped
with state-of-the-art technology and
machinery, enabling higher production
rates and increasing overall production
efficiency. The centrespread in this issue
is a pull-out poster from our legendary
ride, the ‘Himalayan Odyssey’.
A detailed listing of all the new dealers
inaugurated in the AMJ quarter has been
listed in the Dealer News section.
The International section brings to you
news from the world of Royal Enfield
across the globe, and features one of our
vintage models in the Flashback section.
In this issue, we are also focussing on the
recently appointed UK dealer, Moto GB
Limited.
We look forward to your contributions
and feedback on the new look and on the
articles you have been reading. Send us a
mail at [email protected]
Editorial Team The Beat
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Editorial Team: Praveen P Sathaye, Abhijit Brar, Shaji Koshy, Swati Mitra, Anumeha Saxena and Trinaa Prasad
International Contributing Editor: Gordon May
Published by: Royal Enfield, A Unit of Eicher Motors Limited Gurgaon
Do send us your feedback at [email protected]
1
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The first edition of REunion North took place in Leh, commemorating decades of presence of the Royal Enfield motorcycles in Ladakh region
APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2013
U P C O M I N G R I D E S
The 2nd edition of REunion South promises a fun-filled weekend with games and motorcycling events, while partying the evenings away
.....................................................................
I t is time for the family
REunion — a day of
motorcycling banter, road talks and
biking binge. At the 2nd edition of the
REunion South, enthusiasts and riders
would be riding together and meeting
like-minded enthusiasts.
The riders would bond over the
celebrations and other motorcycling
events on their Royal Enfields and spend
a relaxed, fun and fulfilling weekend
with friends, away from the hustle and
bustle of city life.Royal Enfield riders
and enthusiasts are called up to ride in
from all over and converge at Kodaikanal
where REunion South 2013 will be held.
Spread across three days - 6th, 7th
and 8th of September 2013, the weekend
promises games among other events
while partying the evenings away. All
this and more, in the company of fellow
riders and buddies, some old and some
new. Besides the musical extravaganza,
the action-packed weekend would also
see a host of usual events: the fun gaming
activities which are a major attraction at
all Royal Enfield events.
The team events include Assembly
Wars, Carry Your Bike, Figure of Eight,
and Bike Towing, while Trials, Slow Race
would test out the riding skills of the
riders. Arm wrestling and beer guzzling
are two fun activities to watch out for.
Royal Enfield organises various
events for its enthusiasts throughout
the year. These are adventure-filled, fun
and leisure activities which also include
riding out to interesting locations for
the events often through spectacularly
scenic, off the beaten path places and on
challenging terrains. The REunion is one
such event which also focuses on getting
together of riders from one region for a
weekend celebration.
APRIL | MAY | JUNE 20132
REGISTER
NOW
ROYAL ENFIELD
REUNION SOUTH 2013
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To know more about the REunion South, please send a mail to Adarsh Saxena at [email protected]
Day 1 : Ride in, Registration
Day 2 : Events
Day 3 : Breakfast, Ride out
ITINERARY : 6th – 8th September 2013
U P C O M I N G R I D E S
L O R E M I P S U M
3
K eeping with
the tradition of
organising rides to off-beat locations and
territories yet unexplored, Royal Enfield
now ventures into neighbouring Tibet.
The first edition of the Royal Enfield
Tour of Tibet shall be flagged off from
Lucknow on 28th September 2013. The
Tour of Tibet, unlike other rides, is not a
competitive one.
Numerous thoughts come to one's
mind when one thinks of Tibet, ‘The
Roof of the World’, ’Where Eagles Dare’
and many others phrases that Tibet is
synonymous with.
The first Royal Enfield ride to this
mystical land will have 25 bikers from
across India, who will set off on the epic
journey to Lhasa and back, in September.
With an average elevation of
4500 m, the ride will ensure that one gets
to experience a very unique adventure and
get to ride on some of the highest roads in
the Himalayas.
The additional adventure that sets
this ride apart is the journey to the famed
Everest Base Camp and back. Riders on
the Tour of Tibet would also get to spend
two days at the historic city of Lhasa,
which has attracted the fancy of many
an explorer, and also ride along the huge
Yamdrok Lake which has a winding
50 kms long road running all around.
Despite the fact that the landscape of
Tibet is more or less similar throughout,
the versatility of this ride stems from
the fact that on the first day one rides
at altitudes of below 3500 m for a good
35 kms and then the roads slowly and
steadily climb up to the higher altitudes to
'where eagles dare'. Covering places like
Tingri, Shigatse, Gyante, Shegar, the ride
will culminate in Kathmandu, the capital
city of Nepal.
APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2013
REGISTER
NOW
ROYAL ENFIELD
TOUR OF TIBET2013
U P C O M I N G R I D E S
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Tour of Tibet will ensure that one gets to experience a unique adventure and ride on some of the highest roads in the Himalayas
For more information about the Royal Enfield Tour of Tibet, please send a mail to Santhosh Vijay Kumar at [email protected]
Day 1 : Scrutiny and Briefing - Lucknow
Day 2 : Lucknow-Bhairawa | 360 kms
Day 3 : Bhairawa - Kathmandu | 290 kms
Day 4 : Kathmandu - Rest day for Visa
processing
Day 5 : Kathmandu - Last Resort |
110kms
Day 6 : Last Resort - Nyalam | 40 kms
Day 7 : Nyalam - Tingri | 220 kms
Day 8 : Tingri - Shigatse | 240 kms
Day 9 : Shigatse- Rest day for documents
processing
Day 10 : Shigatse - Lhasa | 270 kms
Day 11 : Lhasa - Rest day
Day 12 : Lhasa - Gyantse | 260 kms
Day 13 : Gyantse - Shegar | 200 kms
Day 14 : Shegar - Everest Base Camp |
120 kms
Day 15 : Everest Base Camp - Zhangmu |
120 kms
Day 16 : Zhangmu - Kathmandu | 150 kms
ITINERARY : 13th – 28th September 2013
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4
U P C O M I N G R I D E S
Goa will reverberate with the thump of Royal Enfield motorcycles, as riders and enthusiasts converge for Rider Mania 2013, this November
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B lock your dates for
22nd, 23rd and
24th November, when Vagator Hilltop,
Goa, will reverberate with the thump of
Royal Enfield motorcycles, as riders and
enthusiasts from all over the country
converge for the Royal Enfield Rider
Mania 2013.
It is hosted by Royal Enfield in India
every year, and is reckoned as the annual
get-together as well as family reunion of
all Royal Enfield riders and enthusiasts.
The event was initiated in 2003 to
commemorate the spirit of adventure
and leisure motorcycling.
Rider Mania is a one-of-its-kind
biking event held in Goa, where riders,
fans of Royal Enfield- both Indian
and foreigner - come together for
three days of fun-filled motorcycling
activities, good food and drinks, lots of
music and entertainment in the party
capital of the country - Goa. One major
attraction of this event will be the Rider
Mania Celebration Ride where the
world’s largest group of Royal Enfield
motorcycles ride together through the
bylanes of Goa in unison.
The event provides you with an
opportunity to check out motorcycling
gear, apparel, utility stuff, camping and
outdoor equipment at throw-away prices.
Rock 'n' Roll DJs, food stalls and beverage
counters create an open-air lounge
atmosphere.
The Rider Mania Lounge plays
movies, shows and documentaries
dedicated to motorcycling, for eight
hours a day and the library houses plenty
of books, magazines and Royal Enfield
publications. Prominent rock bands
perform gigs in the evening on the last
two days and DJs also spin out popular
trance numbers as well as Indie music.
APRIL | MAY | JUNE 20134
REGISTER
NOW
ROYAL ENFIELD
RIDER MANIA 2013
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To know more about the Rider Mania please send a mail to Adarsh Saxena at [email protected]
Day 1 : Ride in, Registration
Day 2 : Events
Day 3 : Events, Celebration Ride, Prize distribution
ITINERARY : 22nd – 24th November 2013
GetawaysK E E P R I D I N G
On the morning 7th April, over 25 riders started off from Ludhiana for a day-long
ride to the famous Mughal Sarai, Doraha. It gained popularity after featuring in the
Bollywood blockbuster, Rang De Basanti, thereby getting the nickname of RDB Fort.
The riders rode out from Ludhiana and made a pit stop at Shergill Dhaba for food.
The thump of the impressive cavalcade of the Royal Enfield motorcycles did create
quite a stir among the locals. Punjab, known for its enthusiasm for the Royal Enfield
Bullet, demonstrated the same during th ride as the riders were greeted by a large
number of awestruck bystanders. This ride was a part of the One Ride celebrations.
< To join more such rides from Ludhiana, please send a mail to Dilsher Singh Buttar at [email protected] >
The following rides were organised by Royal Enfield across the country under the ‘Keep Riding’ initiative, to encourage enthusiasts to ride out on their motorcycles
9
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Ludhiana to Doraha (RDB) Fort1
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A group of enthusiastic riders from Mumbai set off for the famous beach resort of
Silvassa which boasts of excellent roads. On 18 th May, Harshil Desai, Manager of the
Bandra Brand Stores in Mumbai, led the group from the showroom. Royal Enfield
has undertaken this part of the Keep Riding initiative to introduce the customers and
enthusiasts to the concept of adventure and leisure motorcycling. The riders rode out
to Silvassa and indulged in some off road adventure in the dirt tracks around the place.
The night was spent amidst much fanfare and sharing of riding stories. The next day
the riders headed back to Mumbai and entered the city by evening. A total of
600 kms was covered during this ride.
< To join more such rides from Mumbai, please get in touch with Harshil Desai at [email protected] >
Mumbai to Silvassa3
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On 5th May, a small group of five riders embarked on their five-day summer ride
to Munsiyari and the lush green hills of Uttarakhand. The riders rode out from the
Brand Stores at Lucknow and passed through the rustic countryside of Jolgivi Hills.
It was quite a thrilling experience negotiating the rather difficult terrain as the road
was broken. The cool weather of Munsiyari was a refreshing change from the heat
of the plains. The riders and their Royal Enfield motorcycles endured the rough and
the smooth. At the end of the ride, the riders were left with rich memories. The route
followed on this ride was Lucknow - Lohaghat - Jolgivi Hills - Munsiyari - Lucknow.
< To join more such rides from Lucknow, please send a mail to Piyush Gupta at [email protected] >
Lucknow to Munsiyari2
APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2013 5
6
On the morning of 8th June, a dozen odd enthusiastic riders assembled at the Chennai
Brand Stores. As most of the riders were first timers important riding tips were
shared. The ride was led by Kamal Pandey from the Chennai showroom, and after
the briefing, the riders started off towards the East Coast Road and had their first pit
stop near Marakanam for breakfast. Riding further, the next break was at Nature Loft
Beach Resort in Pondicherry. After exploring the various beaches and tourist spots of
Pondicherry, the riders came back to the resort and had a bonfire dinner and ended the
day with some dancing. Next morning, the riders headed back to Chennai and stopped
along the coastline to explore the countryside and had a quick off road criss-crossing
session in the sandy terrain. The ride came out well.
< To join such rides from Chennai, send a mail to Kamal Pandey at [email protected] >
On 8th June, 16 riders started off from Jalandhar and were joined by another three
from Nangal en route. The riders had chosen one of the most adventurous routes to
reach the destination which gave the riders the unique taste of off-road riding. After
riding through some unexpected thundershowers, the riders reached Nadaun and
stopped for a tea break at Paprola to beat the cold. They then went further on to their
hotel in Joginder Nagar and spent the rest of the evening around a cosy bonfire. The
cold weather was a welcome relief from the summer heat of the plains. Next day, the
riders reached the famous paragliding spot in Bir Billing in Kangra district of Himachal
Pradesh. This exotic place is regarded as amongst the best in the world for paragliding.
Billing (2,890 m) is the take-off point for the glide and Bir (1,400 m) is the village
which works as the landing site. After spending some time there, the riders rode back to
Jalandhar, stopping at the famous Maa Bangla Mukhi Temple..
< To join more such rides from Jalandhar, send in a mail to Sanjeev Thakur at [email protected] >
Eighteen riders started out from Nangal in Punjab on 17th May and rode out to Govind
Sagar Lake. The ride took two hours and they soon reached the scenic lake situated just
behind the famous Bhakra Dam. In the evening the group reached Barot Valley. Next
day the riders did some off road riding across an adventurous stretch of over
23 kms. This path was marked with loose mud and stones which made negotiating it
quite tricky yet thrilling. On this track the riders also came across potato fields and rode
till the end of the road. Parking the bikes, the riders trekked up the mountain and came
all the way back. After giving their muddy bikes a thorough wash in a nearby waterfall,
the riders started the return journey, stopping only for evening tea and reached Barot by
sundown. On 19th May the riders took off from Barot and rode back to Nangal covering
a distance of total 532 kms.
< To join such rides from Nangal, send in an email to Sanjeev Thakur at [email protected] >
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Ride from Nangal4
Chennai to Pondicherry5
Jalandhar to Bir Billing6
K E E P R I D I N G
APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2013
7
On the 23rd June, a bunch of enthusiastic riders started off early morning from the
Bandra Brand Stores to Rajmachi (Udhewadi), a small village in the rugged mountains
of Sahyadri. Led by the able Royal Enfield team of riders, Sunil, Iqbal and Vijay, the
riders rode off to this tiny village where two forts were built by Emperor Shivaji during
the 17th century. As Rajmachi is located near two famous hills, Lonavla and Khandala,
riders rode out to Lonavla and from there descended towards the Tungarli Dam. Getting
off the beaten track, they rode towards the village and soon reached a stream which
flows across the road. Splashing through the water, the riders rode further on till they
reached the village deep inside the woods. After treating themselves to a sumptuous
meal, the riders then headed back to the city. The return journey was refreshing as
raindrops drenched the riders, giving them the challenge of riding through slush,
thereby ending the ride with a bit of added thrill..
< To join more such rides from Mumbai, please get in touch with Harshil Desai at [email protected] >
It all began when a rider at a Customer Meet referred to Bhaderwah, in Doda district of
Jammu & Kashmir, as one of the parts of 'the untouched Kashmir’. The next morning,
on 26th June, a group of ten riders took off from Jammu towards Bhaderwah, located
about 220 kms from Jammu on the Srinagar highway. The riders took a diversion from
Batote, and rode on what is probably one of the most scenic roads in India. On one side
was the mighty Chenab, while on the other wispy clouds floated by. The enthusiastic
riders, who had started the journey from the Royal Enfield dealership at Jammu, rode
on for about nine hours to reach their destination in the evening. A small rivulet,
watered by the mighty glaciers of the Himalayas, welcomed the riders and one dip in
its crystal clear waters made sure that all the fatigue got washed off. Nobody wanted to
head back but reluctantly, the riders rode back to Jammu the next day.
< To join more such rides from Jammu, send in a mail to Sumveg Bakshi at [email protected] >
An elaborate 15-day ride was planned in June and the riders were all quite excited about
what lay in store for them in the Himalayas. The riders assembled at the Brand Stores
in Lucknow on 6th June. A total of six Royal Enfield riders got ready to begin the most
awaited ride to Khardung La. At 7 am the ride was officially flagged off by the Lucknow
Brand Stores Manager, Mr Piyush Gupta. The route followed by the riders started
from Lucknow and climbed into the hills via Dehradun-Chakrata- Narkanda- Jalori
Pass-Manali. After Manali the riders took the usual route to Ladakh via Rohtang Pass,
Keylong and Sarchu, finally reaching Leh and resting there. The ride further took them
to Kargil, Sonmarg, and Srinagar after which they rode back to Jammu, and going via
Ambala, New Delhi, and Agra, finally reached Lucknow.
< To join more such rides from Lucknow, please send a mail to Piyush Gupta at [email protected] >
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Lucknow to Khardung La
Mumbai to Rajmachi8
Jammu to Bhaderwah 9
K E E P R I D I N G
APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2013
7
The first Sunday of April
each year is celebrated as
the Royal Enfield One Ride
all over the world. On
7th April 2013, Royal
Enfield riders and enthusiasts took
their bikes out to ride out in unison and
mutual admiration for the legendary
motorcycle. This day is celebrated as the
‘Royal Enfield Day’.
This year saw quite a lot of activity
happening all over the world, with riders
starting out early in the morning and
riding out in joyful camaraderie with their
fellow Royal Enfield riders.
A huge number of riders and
enthusiasts came out in Singapore and
had a field day, bonding over biking
banter at a leisurely lunch-time ride.
Argentina has always seen a number of
enthusiastic riders and this year too
saw them turn up in huge numbers
for the One Ride, while Ecuador was
another country which joined in the
Latin American celebrations with a big
turnout.
The island nation of New Caledonia,
where Royal Enfield motorcycles were
introduced recently, saw an impressive
turnout.
Hungary celebrated One Ride with
the riders stepping out and riding in
the pleasant early summer weather.
South Africa and the Gulf countries also
celebrated One Ride with much fervour.
Besides other countries all over the
world, One Ride was celebrated in India
with much fanfare. Mumbai and Delhi
also saw grand celebrations with a good
turnout of riders, who rode together
showing solidarity and passion towards
the legendary Royal Enfield marquee.
APRIL | MAY | JUNE 20138
M A R Q U E E R I D E
Praveen P Sathaye | Royal Enfield
Day 1 : Rides and Updates
ITINERARY : 7th April
ONE RIDE2013
ROYAL ENFIELD
Top row from left: Hungary celebrated the legendary marquee with great fervour • Riders in the island nation of New Calcedonia • Royal Enfield riders in Chandigarh Left: One Ride cavalcade in Mumbai Right: Ecuador joins in the Latin American celebrationsBottom row from left: One Ride in Argentina • Riders celebrating One Ride in South Africa • Delhi-NCR also saw an impressive turnout
ROYAL ENFIELD
Himalayan Odyssey 2013
Ride Story
Day 1 : Scrutiny and Briefing - New Delhi
Day 2 : New Delhi - Parwanoo | 276 kms
Day 3 : Parwanoo - Narkanda | 158 kms
Day 4 : Narkanda - Kalpa | 213 kms
Day 5 : Kalpa - Kaza | 210 kms
Day 6 : Kaza
Day 7 : Kaza - Debring | 200 kms
Day 8 : Debring - Leh | 120 kms
Day 9 : Leh
Day 10 : Leh - Hunder | 130 kms
Day 11 : Hunder - Leh | 130 kms
Day 12 : Leh - Debring | 120 kms
Day 13 : Debring - Keylong | 235 kms
Day 14 : Keylong - Manali | 130 kms
Day 15 : Manali - Chandigarh | 130 kms
Day 16 : Chandigarh - New Delhi | 240 kms
ITINERARY : 21st June – 7th July 2013
M A R Q U E E R I D E
The presence of the riders from the first edition of Himalayan Odyssey added to the grandeur of the flag-off event at India Gate
.................................................................................................
he overall plan for
the 10th edition of
the Royal Enfield
Himalayan Odyssey was of a 100 riders
riding up from two routes and getting
together at the REunion North. This
vision came true as a 100 riders were
flagged off amidst much fanfare from
India Gate, New Delhi on 22nd June 2013.
The riders were divided into two
groups: one was slated to take the
Chandigarh – Manali – Sarchu route
to Leh, while the other was to take the
Parwanoo – Narkanda - Kaza – Sarchu
route. Both the groups would cross Leh,
and then venture further into Nubra
Valley after crossing the famed Khardung
La Pass.
A day prior to the fitness test, a grand
celebration was organised at the Blue
Frog, one of the most happening clubs in
New Delhi, where some riders from the
T past editions of the Himalayan Odyssey
were also present. Some riders from the
1st edition, which went to Khardung La
way back in 1997, were also there, and
these seasoned gentlemen had loads of
interesting anecdotes to share with the
riders of the 10th Himalyan Odyssey.
The riders from the first Himalayan
Odyssey were also present at the flag-off
and that added to the overall grandeur of
the event at India Gate. After the flag-off
ceremony, the riders rode out of Delhi on
the Karnal GT Road.
After a quick stop for breakfast at a
dhaba about 40 kms from Delhi, the two
groups went their separate ways. Riding
in the plains, Group B managed to arrive
in Parwanoo in good time, and reached
their destination for the day by around
4 pm. The Himalayan leg of the ride was
due to start from the following day as the
riders reached the foothills.
Aakash Ahuja | Various Contributors
APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2013 11
M A R Q U E E R I D E
Everyone camped in Nubra, next to a bubbling stream and the ambience of this scenic location is something that is inexplicable in words
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everyone checked into the hotel and
relaxed for the day. As Rohtang Pass was
closed the next day for maintenance, the
riders rested that day as well. Refreshed
and well-rested, the riders set off from
Manali to Keylong on Day 4, and crossed
the 4,000 m high Rohtang Pass before
riding down to Keylong, situated at an
altitude of 3,200 m.
The next stop was Sarchu, infamous
for its difficult terrain, it is located at
4,200 m above sea level. Nights are cold
here and this is aggravated by the fact
that tents are the only accommodation
available. Altitude sickness did set in, and
some riders spent a rather sleepless night.
However, the next day once the riders
started towards Leh, these symptoms
gradually lessened and eventually
disappeared. Crossing three more passes,
Lachulung La, Naki La and Tanglang La,
and the vast desolated plains, the riders
eventually rode into Leh by sundown.
Once settled, it was now time for
rest and the REunion. The next day was
relaxed and the riders of the two groups
met, the other group having joined
from Nubra, after crossing over from
Khardung La. The fanfare began as the
groups met after a long time, and the
fervour went a notch higher with the
REunion North on 30th June. Over 200
Royal Enfield riders from different parts
of the country, came together to celebrate
and bond during Royal Enfield’s REunion
North.
The next day one group headed over to
Khardung La and reached the picturesque
Nubra Valley by lunch time. Everyone
camped in Nubra, next to a bubbling
stream and the ambience of this scenic
location is something that is inexplicable
in words.
The following day the riders returned
to Leh and started the return journey
to Delhi. Instead of stopping at Sarchu,
this time everyone halted at Tso Kar, in
Rupshu Valley, and the rest of the journey
was somewhat similar as the climb up the
Himalayas, all the way to Manali.
From Manali, the riders rode on to
Delhi via Chandigarh to reunite with
Group A and celebrate the successful
completion of the 10th Himalayan
Odyssey. A gala celebration marked
the evening where certificates were
distributed to all those who completed
this epic ride.
Day 2 began with a briefing on riding
in the mountains and always staying on
the left side of the road corners to ensure
safety. These briefing sessions were
a daily morning ritual and continued
throughout the ride with different sets
of instructions about riding on different
types of terrain.
The destination on Day 2 was
Narkanda and after riding over some
brilliant winding roads amidst light
showers, the group reached Narkanda
by early evening. It was here that the
riders learned that the road connecting
Narkanda to Kalpa/Kaza had been
washed away in many places due to the
torrential rains and was officially closed.
Last minute changes had to be made
to the route plan and the riders decided
to ride further out and eventually join the
Manali-Leh road via the Jalori Pass.
The next day began early and after
getting off the highway from Sainj, the
riders took the narrow and broken road to
Jalori and reached the top by noon. After
a quick lunch everyone continued further
down the narrow roads, before joining the
Manali Road at Oat, easily recognisable by
its 1.5 km tunnel. After reaching Manali,
12 APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2013
Facing Page: Flag-off from India GateTop row from left: The legendary K-Top Pass • Riders from the 1st edition of the Himalayan Odyssey with Mr Shaji Koshy, Sr VP, Sales & Marketing, Royal Enfield at the flag-off Left: One of the numerous water-crossings enroute Right: Ride leader Sachin Chavan, seasoned veteran of Ladakh Bottom row from left: Group photo at the India Gate• Lachulung La Pass at the height of 16,616 feet
Ride Story
Day 1 : Ride in, events and ride out
ITINERARY : 30th June 2013
ROYAL ENFIELD
REUNION NORTH 2013
M A R Q U E E R I D E
This year’s first edition of
REunion North took place
in Ladakh - 'the land of
the lamas'- and the most
sought-after destination of
all Royal Enfield riders and enthusiasts.
On 30th June 2013, Leh saw hundreds
of Royal Enfield
motorcycles thundering
into the Ladakh Retreat,
a hotel on Old Fort
Road. Riders, who were
reaching Leh from
different parts of the country, started
rolling into the venue right from the
morning.
By noon, the 100-odd Himalayan
Odyssey riders had also reached the
venue and were greeted by the riders
already gathered there. The venue was
bustling with activity as more and more
riders joined in and soon it was time for
the events to begin.
The first event was Assembly Wars
and the teams literally sweated it out in
the cold weather and after many a huff
REunion North 2013 took place in Ladakh - 'the land of the lamas'- and the most sought after destination of all Royal Enfield riders and enthusiasts
.....................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
was quite a tiring task for them. The
winners were followed closely by yet
another team from Pune of Pankaj,
Deepak, Yogesh and Neeraj who came
second. It was indeed a nail-biting race
to the finish as it seemed that both teams
almost crossed the finish line at the same
time.
After this followed the riding
events like Slow Race, where
riders exercised clutch control
and blipped the throttle as they
crawled at their slowest in 1st gear
inching towards the finish line. The
rough surface added to the thrill of the
event. Swapnil Balwadkar was by far
the slowest rider and won this event
followed by Yogesh Kolapkar.
The surface of the venue was already
riddled with loose gravel and no special
effort was required to create a custom
trials course. The Trials event, thus,
proved to be quite a spectacle for the
bystanders as well as the riders who
attempted to master the difficult yet
thrilling short course. The event was
and puff managed to take the 4 parts
off the bike and then reassemble the
same. They then had to ride the newly
reassembled bike to win the trophy.
The four-member team of Amit,
Sanket, Ashutosh and Suryakant from
Pune walked away with the trophy. It
Praveen P Sathaye | Royal Enfield........................................................................
APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2013 17
18
M A R Q U E E R I D E
won by Yogesh Kolapkar with Narendra
Jawda coming in second and Harsh Dabhi
who rode all the way from Gujarat came
third. The riders did have a tough time
negotiating the challenging terrain, that
too at such a height. But nothing could
deter the enthusiasm of the riders as they
rode out on the track kicking a cloud of
dust as the tyres rolled over the surface.
As the evening kicked in, the riding
events ended and the crowds were
entertained with a show of strength as
they cheered the various enthusiasts who
participated in the arm wrestling event.
Prasad Jairam, the crowd favourite,
was the winner, while Captain Ritesh
Mehra stood second and Martin came in
third. For Martin, a UK citizen, this was
a fun experience as he had never known
the lifestyle and aura surrounding the
legendary Royal Enfield motorcycle and
the brotherhood in India.
As darkness fell, the DJ came on
board amidst a magnificent montage of
rides and motorcycles projected on the
large screen. Then it was time to unwind
to some good foot tapping music and
scrumptious food amidst biking banter
and sharing stories of the adventures
each one had experienced while riding
to Ladakh.
After the music died down it was
time for the riders to head back to their
respective accommodation where they
retired for the day. Each rider took away
with him the memories and memorabilia
of the highest Royal Enfield bash to
cherish forever.
Below: Teams sweating it out at the Assembly Wars
APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2013
A majestic kingdom, a place
tucked away in the folds
of the Himalayas, where
GDP is measured in terms
of happiness, Bhutan
always has had a lot of visitors from
India exploring its pristine beauty.
Most Bhutanese folk also speak
Hindi so for us it was a home away from
home. As a biker, the place came across
as one of the best to ride on. It was
on this Royal Enfield tour that I got a
different taste of this Himalayan nation.
The Royal Enfield Tour of Bhutan
was flagged off from Siliguri along with
the One Ride which was celebrated all
over the world. The scenery, after we left
Siliguri, was quite spectacular and gave
an inkling of what was in store for us in
the days to come. The roads were lined
with tea plantations and huge pine trees
as we headed higher. Our first stop was
Darjeeling, the quaint small Himalayan
town with a rich legacy behind it, and we
were greeted by crisp, fresh mountain
air.
All of us entered the kingdom of
Bhutan, riding through the beautiful
town of Phuentsholing and after checking
into our hotel, headed straight for the
Immigration Office to get clearance for the
trip ahead.
Small pockets of restaurants and
shops aligned this rather coordinated
town. Local Bhutanese cuisine was the
first thing that the group explored.
Traffic rules are strictly followed and
the 'No Honking' policy was a pleasant
change from the usual. The Bhutanese
consider honking as an insult, and local
Kyron Gomes | Various Contributors
M A R Q U E E R I D E
TOUR OF BHUTAN
APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2013 19
Day 1 : Scrutiny and briefing - Bagdogra
Day 2 : Bagdogra - Darjeeling | 100 kms
Day 3 : Darjeeling - Pelling | 110kms Day 4 : Pelling - Gangtok | 145 kms
Day 5 : Gangtok - Phuentsholing | 220 kms
Day 6 : Phuentsholing - Thimpu | 176 kms
Day 7 : Thimpu
Day 8 : Thimpu - Bumthang | 220 kms
Day 9 : Bumthang - Mongar | 200 kms
Day 10 : Mongar - Tashigang | 40 kms
Day 11 : Tahshigang - Somdrup Jongkhar | 180 kms
Day 12 : Somdrup Jongkhar - Guwahati |
110 kms
ITINERARY : 5th - 16th April 2013
2013
ROYAL ENFIELD
M A R Q U E E R I D E
One of the main highlights of Bhutan, one of the world’s most secluded countries, were the small adventures we had and the little discoveries we made
......................................................................
......................................................................
and it had started raining. All that we
could make out was the main street lined
with tourist shops and hotels while the
rest of the town was dark and quiet. The
main street was beautifully lit, neat,
clean, and very peaceful. As the weather
got better, we were ready to step out and
soak in the sights. Like any other big city,
Thimphu had its main street lined with
bustling cafés and eateries serving exotic
delicacies. The travel and adventure
gear shops were sought out by almost
everyone in our group and most of us
ended up visiting every shop out there.
Day 5 took the riders to Bumthang
and once again we were awestruck by
the pristine beauty of the countryside
as we rode through densely wooded
areas. We realised that one of the main
highlights of Bhutan, the most secluded
and beautiful countries of the world,
were the small adventures we had and
the little discoveries we made. Crossing
paths with a herd of yaks was almost
unbelievable and we took it slow around
these majestic yet not-so-calm beasts.
The route to Bumthang was nothing
less than mesmerising, after all, how
often does one get a road running
parallel to a river, and though most
of us did not want the road to end, it
eventually did. Bumthang is one of the
20
traffic easily gives way making navigation
easy and pleasant here.
From Phuentsholing, we set out for
Paro which was a new addition to the
route. Paro is one of the few Bhutanese
towns with a glorious and well treasured
heritage. The stay at Paro meant a visit
to the legendary Tiger's Nest Monastery
and we trekked up to the Nest the next
morning, an adventure which took us to
a height of 9,000 ft across 19,599 steps in
total. The magnificent view from Tiger's
Nest was definitely worth the effort.
Day 4 saw us riding into Thimphu,
which was about 65 kms from Paro. We
entered Thimphu late in the evening,
APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2013
coldest places in Bhutan and is covered
with snow for about 6 to 7 months a year.
As we were visiting in April, the climate
was cool and pleasant, which meant
bonfires in the evenings!
On Day 6 having finished riding
across Bumthang, and taking with us
fond memories of each place, we rode
on to Tashigang. This ride was one the
longest but we didn’t mind much as we
got to experience the beauty of the hills
and the adventure associated with this
terrain. We also had a bit of off-roading,
but none of us complained despite the
weather getting colder as the climb got
steeper. At 12,452 ft lies Thrumsing
La Pass and we rode across the highest
motorable road in Bhutan. As this place
is covered with mist throughout the year,
we rode through clouds alongside frozen
streams and waterfalls and the sight was
something none of us will ever forget. It
took all of us a considerable amount of
time to proceed further from that location
towards our destination for the day.
The last day in Bhutan, made our
hearts heavy as none of us wanted to leave
this magnificent kingdom. We headed
to Guwahati from Samdrup Jongkhar, a
border town in Bhutan, and as soon as we
entered Indian territory we immediately
felt the difference. We made one last stop
and looked back for one last glimpse of
what we were leaving behind.
At the back of my mind I was
somewhere already planning for the 2014
edition of the 'Tour of Bhutan'. Since I
have travelled before in the Himalayas
in India, I was quite familiar with the
terrain, yet the roads even off the city
were spectacularly layed out in Bhutan.
Some of the locals even called these roads
'Dragon Paths' as they were short and
wound up and around the hills. While
riding we came across more than ten odd
great bends for practically every kilometre
we covered, and that was much of an
adventure and thrill for a biker.
' The traveller sees what he sees. A
Biker feels what he has come to see.'
Facing Page: 'Dragon Paths' wound their way up and around the hills Top: Plenty of good roads to ride through in Bhutan Left: The legendary Tiger's Nest Monastery
21
M A R Q U E E R I D E
APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2013
N E W S
New Plant at Oragadam
R oyal Enfield has started
commercial production
from its new manufacturing
facility at Oragadam,
Tamil Nadu. Spread over
50 acres, the Oragadam plant starts
with an installed production capacity of
150,000 units in the first phase. An initial
investment of Rs 150 crores has been
made towards construction of this facility
that will produce the full range of Royal
Enfield motorcycles.
Rolling out the first motorcycle from
the Oragadam facility, Mr Siddhartha
Lal, MD & CEO, Eicher Motors Ltd said,
'As this plant at Oragadam becomes
operational, we at Royal Enfield have
recorded a major milestone. Royal Enfield
has witnessed a huge surge in demand
in the recent past, recording a growth of
over 50% for each of the last two years.
We have been extremely successful in
stretching the capacity of our existing
60-year-old plant to record levels –
achieving production of over 12,000
motorcycles in the month of March 2013.
Yet the demand for our motorcycles
has continued to outpace the supply.
Therefore we have conceived of this new
facility on a much larger tract of land and
created a master-plan that can take the
eventual production to over 500,000 per
year.'
He added 'With the speedy execution
of the first phase of the plan, we have
revised our production target upwards
in 2013 – to 175,000 motorcycles from
both plants. However, even as we start
commercial production today, we have
already begun working on the second
phase of expansion at Oragadam, which
will further increase the production
capacity to 250,000 motorcycles in 2014.
With this new facility, we now have the
......................................................................
Construction at the plant commenced in February 2012. With civil work continuing around the clock, the plant was completed in a record time of 11 months......................................................................
APRIL | MAY | JUNE 201322
NEW
FACILITY
N E W S
ability to scale our production quantity
quickly in response to market demand.
This new plant has been benchmarked
to achieve the highest level of quality and
productivity. We have re-tooled many of
the parts that make up our motorcycles –
so that they are of exacting accuracy and
finish. The substrate quality of the sheet
metal parts, for example, is now at par
with the best in the world; when these
parts undergo the world-leading CED
and paint process here at Oragadam –
they will have a surface finish and life of
the highest quality.'
Talking about Royal Enfield’s future
plans Mr Siddhartha Lal said, 'The
ability to increase capacity quickly and
produce superior quality of motorcycles
is a crucial step for Royal Enfield
towards meeting our global ambitions.
While we are adding new models and
new dealerships in the Indian market
which is fuelling our growth, we are
also working on building our presence
globally. Higher investments into brand
and distribution, as well as new products
that are very appealing to international
markets are going to be the key in
achieving global leadership in the
mid-size motorcycle category.
Construction at the plant commenced
in February 2012 and with civil work
continuing around the clock, it was
completed in a record time of 11 months.
In addition to increasing capacity, the
Oragadam plant has been designed to
optimise cost of production through
relevant automation while retaining the
human craftsmanship that is distinct
to the iconic Royal Enfield motorcycles.
Towards this, an absolutely path breaking
new CED paint shop with a painting
capacity of 600 motorcycles per day has
been installed in the plant.
Further, to ensure consistency and
less wastage, a robotic painting system
and powder coating system have also
been added. At the same time, processes
such as the legendary pin-striping
continue to be done through craftsmen
who lend that special human touch to
each motorcycle.
The vehicle assembly line at
Oragadam comes with several features
such as ergonomic assembly work
stations, torque controlled tools with
feedback device and a capacity for
producing one motorcycle a minute, or
Clockwise from left: Mr Siddhartha Lal, MD & CEO, Eicher Motors Ltd, rolling off the first motorcycle from Oragadam • A view of the new plant • Range of motorcycles produced from the Oragadam plant
APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2013 23
over 800 per day on two shifts. Effective
controls and process, right from material
handling to review mechanisms, have
been created on the backbone of a modern
and strong IT infrastructure. In addition,
chassis dynamometers and a 1.4 kms test
track within the factory premises allows
for the motorcycles to be thoroughly
tested before they are dispatched for
customers.
The Oragadam facility has been built
with sustainability in mind from the
very beginning of the design stage with
several initiatives such as reduction of
effluent generation at source and zero
liquid discharge system of treatment. In
addition conservation of resources such
as electricity, water and fuel has been
given top priority.
During the construction stage of this
plant, the green concept was applied,
for example, using soil from within the
site for filling, as well as using the ideal
quantities of steel, concrete and cement.
The focus was on creating efficient work
space, equipment and utilities and hence
efficient use of natural, diffused lighting,
natural air flow inside plant and 25% of
wooded area have been ensured.
24
N E W S
1 Amba MotorsIndra Duplex Shop No 1 - 4 B/S Mangalya Hall Near Airport Circle, Harni Road Vadodara, GujaratPin Code 390022Contact Person: Mr Mayur Padhiyar% 0265-2463232, 9510910991w [email protected]
2 Amit MotorsSidhari By-Pass Road,Azamgarh, Uttar PradeshPin Code 276001Contact Person: Mr DK Singh% 9415208383, 94151003787w [email protected]
3 Avis AutoA-1/1, Ved Nagar, NanakhedaUjjain, Madhya PradeshPin Code 456010Contact Person: Mr Davender Singh % 0734-2520007, 9424025000w [email protected]
4 Bhagwati MotorsDumka Road, Balti Karkhana Chowk Near HDFC ATMBhagalpur, BiharPin Code 812005Contact Person: Mr Kumar Anand% 7488252811w [email protected]
5 CJ Motors245, Bombai Bagan Road Ground Floor, Block A Kolkata, West Bengal
Pin Code 700061Contact Person: Mr Kishor Kothary% 033-32597322, 9883008589w sales.chunnilaljhanwarlal@ gmail.com
6 Klasik MotorsApex Centre, Kusugal RoadKeshwapurHubli, Karnataka Pin Code 580023Contact Person: Mrs Akshata Jain, Mr SA Kittur% 0836-2288222, 8762288222w [email protected], [email protected]
7 Royal Automotives178, Dr SN Sen Road Radhanagar, KrishnanagarNadia, West Bengal Pin Code -741103 Contact Person: Mr Srikanto Mohanto% 8629989042 w [email protected]
8 SKYS Automobiles Raja Bansilal Market Bansilal Nagar Aurangabad, Maharashtra Pin Code 431005Contact Person: Mr Imran Shaikh% 0240-2340352, 9673993304, 9209525252w [email protected]
9 Soniya MotorsShop No 2 & 3, Siddheshwar Arcade Opp Suraj Arcade, Waghbil Naka
Ghodbunder RoadThane (W), MaharashtraPin Code 400607 Contact Person: Mr Omprakash Bachhani, Mr Jairaj Bhagchandani% 022-25976036, 25976037, 9322314222, 9967556643, 9320412838 w [email protected], [email protected]
a Sri Velavan Motors #152 A, Greams Road, Thousand Lights Chennai, Tamil Nadu Pin Code 600006 Contact Person: Mr Hariram Prithiviraj% 044-43123333, 8754553407w hariram.kp@velavanmotors
b Standard Motors AB Road Guna, Madhya PradeshPin Code 473001Contact Person: Mr Rahul Sharma% 07542-222241, 9425131250w [email protected]
c Rooster AutomotivesNo 168, 100 ft RoadOpp RTO, PondicherryPin Code 605004Contact Person: Mr Ramesh% 0413-2353558, 59, 9047422422 w [email protected]
New DealershipsWith each passing month, Royal Enfield continues to expand its network across India with the addition of new dealers with state-of-the-art facilities. This is a part of our endeavour to reach out to our customers and enthusiasts, and address all their motorcycling needs.
APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2013
25
MotoGB, the UK's largest independent motorcycle and scooter distributor, takes over as the new importer of the brand
......................................................................
NEW DISTRIBUTOR IN THE UK
ROYAL ENFIELD
oyal Enfield recently
appointed MotoGB
as their distributor
for the United Kingdom (UK) market.
MotoGB took over from Royal Enfield’s
erstwhile UK distributor- Watsonian
Squire as the importers for the brand in
the United Kingdom.
Originating in Britain, Royal Enfield
is today one of the oldest motorcycle
companies in continuous production, and
is a part of Eicher Motors Ltd in India.
MotoGB is the UK’s largest independent
motorcycle and scooter distributor.
Steve Oliver, General Manager of
MotoGB said: 'This is a real coup for us
as Royal Enfield is the epitome of British
motorcycling both past and present.
These beautiful bikes are not just for the
older motorcycling generation, keen
to recall the days of their youth, but a
Royal Enfield is also a classically-styled
machine which is perfect for riders of
R any age to enjoy, whether they commute
daily on two wheels or simply enjoy a
ride during weekends. The heritage and
history of Royal Enfield gives the brand
an aura and an authenticity that cannot
be replicated.'
Commenting on the partnership
with MotoGB, Mr Shaji Koshy, Senior
Vice President- Sales & Marketing,
Royal Enfield said, 'In the recent past
Royal Enfield has witnessed a huge
surge in demand for its motorcycles the
world over. The company has recorded
a growth of over 50% year on year in the
last couple of years.'
He added, 'United Kingdom is a
key market for Royal Enfield. We are
pleased to partner with the MotoGB
group for such a strategic market and are
confident that with their proven success
in the region, our partnership will
provide a strong fillip to Royal Enfield’s
growth curve.'
I N T E R N A T I O N A L
APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2013
Gordon May is a celebrated motorcycle author, and is recognised as an undisputed authority on classic motorcycles, especially the Royal Enfield. His love affair with Royal Enfield began in 1986 when he bought a 1963 250CC Crusader Sports. His books on Royal Enfield include Made In India (2001), Made In Redditch (2003), By Miles The Best (2004), and The Legend Rides On (2005). His books have given him a deeper insight into the history and the achievements of the brand. Gordon joins us as a regular columnist for The Beat, and his articles will feature important international events and products.
Gordon May
EXCLUSIVE
I N T E R N A T I O N A L
Andy Berry's 1936 Model JF 500cc Bullet Racer
Previewed in late 1932, the
first Bullets became widely
available to the public
in early 1933, the range
comprising 250, 350 and
500cc variants, all with sloper (inclined)
engines. For the 1936 season, the bikes’
engines followed a more conventionally
upright design, with the 500cc version
topped with a four-valve cylinder head. It
was called the Model JF 500 Bullet.
Only a handful of 4-valve JFs were
made each year of the model’s short
production lifespan (1936 to 1937)
with total numbers in the region of 60
machines, although the 4-valve head
continued to be offered in Enfield’s sales
brochures as an optional extra until 1940.
To see one today is extremely rare – and
special.
Andy Berry, of Preston, UK, not
only owns one of these rare beasts, his
machine boasts an even more remarkable
feature: the cylinder head is cast from
bronze. 'I know of only four like this,'
he begins, 'they were only available
by special order from the factory, at
considerable extra cost, for those who
wanted to race their bikes.' The rationale
behind the use of bronze for the cylinder
head was that it provided better cooling
capabilities.
Andy acquired his Bullet in 1984 and
it took him more than 25 years to restore
it. 'It was dispatched from the factory to a
Bristol dealership called Barton Motors in
November 1936. At the end of the Second
World War it was bought by an American
serviceman who took it to Canada where
it was raced. After his death this man’s
son moved to the UK. He brought the bike
- by then just a pile of bits - with him.'
Andy lists all the parts he acquired: 'The
frame, engine and Amal TT carburettor.
......................................................................
Only a handful of 4-valve JFs were made each year, of the model’s short production lifespan from 1936 to 1937. To see one today is extremely rare – and special......................................................................
Gordon May
FLASHBACK
26 APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2013
I N T E R N A T I O N A L
The gearbox was made up of the original
close ratio gears, although the outer
casing was off a later Model J.
The tank was made of aluminium
and was in terrible shape. There was the
correct finned rear hub but no front end,
including forks, at all. Getting the forks
sorted was one of Andy’s first successes.
'A British girder fork specialist had a
brand new set of the correct blades, which
we built up using linkages and springs
that came with the bike.'
The most frustrating and time-
consuming part of the restoration was
the petrol tank: it took over three years
for a sheet metal worker to fabricate a
replacement from aluminium. Inside
the engine is the correct Heplex slipper
piston, only available by special order,
which gives 8.5:1 compression. 'The con
rod is the original forged steel JF one, but
I fit 1950’s Bullet flywheels and modified
the oiling arrangement to the roller big
end as it was one of the weaknesses of the
original design.' Finished with rear-sets,
alloy mudguards, flat handlebars, an
M1 magneto and exposed single chain
primary drive, the JF certainly looks a
sleek and fast vintage racing motorcycle.
But when it’s fired into life, by means of
the time-honoured racing bump start as
there is no kick-starter, the noise that
resounds from the original high level
straight-through exhausts is nothing
short of deafening.
Andy has a huge grin across his face
as he straddles the bike and speeds off
down the road. Making a long sweeping
turn, he charges back, hammers on
the brakes then pulls up alongside me,
perched comfortably on the low saddle.
'In its day, it would have been good
for 100 mph in this state of tune,' he
explains. 'But I have never had it above
70. It’s scary enough even then as the
girder forks and lack of rear suspension
makes it skip around on the road. How
they ever used to race these bikes flat out
is beyond me!'
Andy's 1936 Model JF may have
taken him 25 years to complete but the
end result is fabulous. He occasionally
displays the bike at Royal Enfield Owner’s
Club gatherings in the UK. Should you
meet him there, he’ll always be willing to
fire it up. My advice, wear earplugs!
APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2013 27
Facing page: JF 500cc Bullet Racer Topmost: Bronze Cylinder Head Top : Smiths speedometer on Andy's motorcycle Left: Andy Beryy with his 1936 bronze head model JF
28 APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2013
Coupes Moto Légende, now in its 21st year, is one of the world’s largest annual gatherings of classic and vintage motorcycles
......................................................................
Coupes Moto Légende
ROYAL ENFIELD
Coupes Moto Légende,
held at the Dijon-
Prenois race circuit
in central France, is one of the world’s
largest annual gatherings of classic and
vintage motorcycles. Now in its 21st
year, this year’s event took place over a
gloriously sunny weekend, 1 and 2 June.
More than 1000 motorcyclists rode
their machines several times round the
challenging 3.8-km track.
A major draw for the 27,000 visitors
this year was the chance to see the likes
of former world champions Wayne
Gardner, Freddie Spencer, Steve Baker
and Christian Sarron strut their stuff,
and with the aisles of the paddock open
to all, to mingle with the riders and their
rare and exotic motorcycles.
Several Royal Enfield riders were
also present. On Saturday, I spotted a
French-registered MK1 Interceptor on its
way to race inspection, a Continental GT
being unloaded from a trailer and, parked
among the British VMCC (Vintage Motor
Cycle Club) contingent, a 1969 MKII
Interceptor. ‘That’s a very quick bike,’
one club member pointed out, ‘I couldn’t
keep up with it during practice today.’
Also taking place on Sunday was the
Côte-d’Or Tourist Rally. Leaving from
the Dijon-Prenois track early in the
morning, more than 100 riders on their
classic mounts undertook a 70-km rally
along some of the best motorcycling
roads across Burgundy.
A 1963 Royal Enfield 700cc
Constellation, belonging to Richard
Conmu of Marcheprime in Bordeaux,
was included. Richard said, 'I have
owned this bike for five years and ridden
16,785 kms without any breakdowns. I
did every part of the restoration myself.
The only deviation from standard is that
I added a cast aluminium oil cooler from
an Interceptor.'
I N T E R N A T I O N A L